EVENT: UT Austin President Gregory L. Fenves and other university representatives will be in the Rio Grande Valley to officially welcome 415 new students and their parents to the UT family.
WHEN: Hidalgo-Starr Texas Exes Send-Off: 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 1
Brownsville Texas Exes Send-Off: 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 2
WHERE: Hidalgo-Starr Send Off:
Edinburg Conference Center, 118 Paseo Del Prado, Edinburg, Texas
(Between Alberta and Dove, off of McColl)
Brownsville Send-Off:
International Bank of Commerce, 1600 FM 802 Brownsville, Texas
MEDIA: News media representatives are welcome to attend.
BACKGROUND: The Rio Grande Valley send-offs provide Austin-bound students and their parents an opportunity to talk with university officials about the transition to campus life. The event began in 1993 as a partnership between the university and constituents in the Rio Grande Valley to welcome students and assure parents that students are in good hands. The Rio Grande Valley model became so successful that similar send-offs were later started in other areas of Texas. This year marks the 24th anniversary of the event.
The university has established the Valley Admissions Center at 2102 Treasure Hills Blvd. in Harlingen to assist high school students interested in attending The University of Texas at Austin.
Event Activities
6 p.m. Check-in, buffet, students and parents mingle with alumni and current students
7 p.m. Remarks and welcome messages
Brownsville:
- Brownsville Texas Exes chapter president Mike Moreno
- Al Villarreal, alumnus and president of IBC, Brownsville
- Gregory L. Fenves, UT Austin president
- Tony Gonzalez, Brownsville native, alumnus and professor in UT Austin’s Freshman Research Initiative
- Marla Zarate, current UT Austin sophomore
- Susie Smith, Texas Parents Association
Hidalgo-Starr:
- Hidalgo-Starr Texas Exes chapter president Daniel Gallegos
- Oscar Longoria, alumnus and Texas State Representative
- Gregory L. Fenves, UT Austin president
- Josiah Gonzalez, current UT Austin sophomore
- Susie Smith, Texas Parents Association
8 p.m. Group photo with President Fenves